Dodgers’ Manny Machado enters free agency on one knee, the end to an underwhelming October

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Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado strikes out swinging to end the first inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium. In 16 postseason games this month, Machado batted .227 with more strikeouts (18) than hits (15), though he did have a team-high 12 RBIs. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ season ended when Manny Machado took a knee.

To some, it must have seemed appropriate.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday, Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale got ahead of Machado 1-and-2 before unleashing a slider in the dirt, a pitch so low that even one leg was too much to stand on. Machado swung and missed, ending Game 5 of the World Series.

Machado walked back to the Dodgers’ dugout for what is likely the final time. He removed his helmet, put both hands on his hips, then watched the Red Sox celebrate on the field with his arms folded against the bench.

“We had a chance,” Machado said. “We came back early today. We just didn’t have enough. They played well. They had the momentum going for them. We weren’t able to get past that hump.”

Machado will wake up on Monday a free agent for the first time in his life. His market will not be based on the four singles he collected in 19 World Series at-bats – including the one that he believed to be a home run, and should have been a double, in the sixth inning of Game 3.

Rather, teams will attempt to assess Machado as the unique player he is.

At the relatively young age of 26, Machado is an elite defensive third baseman, a capable shortstop at least, and a workhorse who has averaged 159 games a season the last four seasons. Machado is also an enigmatic offensive force.

At Camden Yards, the park he called home for five-plus seasons, Machado batted .296 with a .352 on-base percentage and a .536 slugging percentage. When he was traded to the Dodgers on July 18 for a package of five minor leaguers, Machado’s slash line in every other park was .274/.329/.468. His statistics after the trade were similar: .273, .338 and .487.

Strictly based on his ability, Machado’s career has revealed him to be an excellent hitter in Baltimore and a good hitter elsewhere. The postseason was another matter.

In 16 games, Machado batted .227 with more strikeouts (18) than hits (15). At least he timed his hits well; Machado led the team in RBIs with 12.

The market will soon decide what that’s worth in terms of years and dollars. Thoughts on a potential return to Los Angeles?

“We just lost,” Machado said in the Dodgers’ clubhouse after the game. “I can’t think about that.”

Discussions around Machado’s ability rarely stick to the numbers, however. Game 3 wasn’t the first time he cost his team a base by not hustling. During the National League Championship Series, Machado said in an interview with The Athletic that “being Johnny Hustle” was “not my cup of tea.” That did nothing to alter the perception of Machado as a slacker.

It’s a perception that even his teammates could not ignore.

Asked about his impression of Machado as a teammate, Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said, “I know you’re trying to stir the pot right now. I’m gonna stay away from that question.”

“I liked Manny, and he’s a very talented player, and I hope he gets the contract that he wants,” Muncy continued. “I don’t care what outside sources say. He’s a good guy, he’s a good player, and he was somebody that I was happy I shared the field with.”

“I’ve played against Manny for seven years now,” second baseman Brian Dozier said. “You’re always interested to see how they are besides on the field. A good teammate. Obviously an exceptional talent, one of the better players in the past five or six years in our game, but getting to know him in the clubhouse has been pretty fascinating for me.”

In any event, the Dodgers are an unlikely suitor for Machado this winter. Setting his underwhelming World Series aside, the Dodgers are already set at third base with Justin Turner and at shortstop with Corey Seager. Those are the only positions Machado has played in his major league career, and he has played both positions well.

It was an elbow injury to Seager that necessitated the trade in the first place. Now, Seager is expected to return in 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May and an arthroscopic procedure on his hip in August.

For his part, Machado said that “every single teammate here has been beyond amazing.”

“I was truly grateful to be a part of this, what went on this year,” he said.

Machado was not the Dodgers’ only midseason acquisition to underwhelm in October. Pitcher Ryan Madson acquitted himself quite well in the first two playoff rounds, only to allow all seven runners he inherited in the World Series to score. Pitcher John Axford spent more time on the disabled list than the Dodgers’ active roster, and he did not pitch in the postseason. Dozier batted .182 after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins, and was reduced to a platoon role in the playoffs, when he hit .125.

David Freese was the exception to the rule. The former World Series MVP led off Game 5 with a solo home run against David Price, the Dodgers’ only run in their ultimate game of 2018. Only Turner (eight) had more hits in the World Series than Freese (five).

Freese’s contract contains a team option at $6 million for 2019. The Dodgers can also pay Freese a $500,000 buyout, making him a free agent.

Machado will command more attention than any of his fellow free agents. Perhaps the World Series forced teams to reassess his stock, perhaps not.

“Manny’s a great guy,” Turner said. “Love him. He came over here, jumped right on board with the goal to win a World Series. Obviously super talented. Don’t know what’s going to happen, don’t know what’s in his future, but I definitely have a lot of respect for him and wish him all the best in his future – whatever happens.”